About three-quarters of plantar fasciitis cases resolve within 12 months, so if you’ve been battling this condition for months and your pain won’t go away, there may be another factor at play: a heel spur.
Officially known as calcaneal spurs, heel spurs are bony growths that form on the underside of your calcaneus (heel).
Below, our team at Manhattan Podiatry Associates in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan, New York City, explains the connection between plantar fasciitis and heel spurs, how to know if you have a heel spur, and what treatments are available.
Plantar fasciitis happens when the band of tissue along the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed. This inflammation can sometimes trigger calcium deposits to form on your heel bone. These deposits grow into a bony bump called a heel spur.
Researchers estimate that 45-85% of people with plantar fasciitis develop heel spurs. People who are overweight (another plantar fasciitis risk factor) also tend to have larger heel spurs.
While heel spurs don’t always cause pain, they can worsen your symptoms, especially if you’re already dealing with plantar fasciitis.
Not all heel spurs are the same. Research shows there are two main types:
Interestingly, type A spurs are usually longer, but people with type B spurs tend to report more severe pain. This helps explain why heel pain can vary so much from person to person, even when the condition sounds the same.
Heel spurs often develop silently, but when they do cause discomfort, the pain may feel like:
If your plantar fasciitis isn’t improving, don’t brush it off. Talk to your Manhattan Podiatry Associates provider about your symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you have a heel spur is through a foot examination and X-ray.
Once you have a heel spur, it can only be removed surgically. That being said, the right treatment can help you manage the pain.
We may start with conservative approaches like rest, physical therapy, stretching, orthotics, and anti-inflammatory medication. Orthotics, in particular, can take pressure off your feet and help address plantar fasciitis as well.
In more severe cases, we may recommend advanced therapies or surgical removal of the spur.
Living with ongoing heel pain can keep you from enjoying daily activities. If you’ve been treating plantar fasciitis without success, a heel spur could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Call the Manhattan Podiatry Associates location closest to you to get a clear diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan. Or click here to schedule your consultation online.
